Towel-drying your hair is important to help remove water, so hair can dry faster. Yet, the wrong technique can result in extra frizz, tangles, and poufiness. The right ways to air dry hair include gentle drying techniques.
Similar to microfiber towels for hair, cotton t-shirts are soft and don't catch on the hair strands or cause breakage. Also, the fibers in cotton t-shirts are woven closer together, so they absorb water without over-drying your hair. We got to say, this is a hair hack worth trying!
The best way to dry your hair is to let it air dry under the fan as much as possible. However, some experts believe combining air and blow-drying is healthier than just air drying. It is good to let your hair air-dry seventy percent of the way and then blow-dry till they become dry ultimately.
Hair is most vulnerable to damage when it is wet.
The results documented in the published paper referenced above show that letting hair dry naturally causes the cortex (the thickest layer of hair) to swell and become weaker, as the swelling puts pressure on the delicate proteins that hold hair together.
Sounds like a case for air-drying, but get this: The study found that while the heat of a dryer can cause more damage than not using one, using a hair-dryer at the right distance and temperature can actually cause less damage than letting hair air-dry. That's because when hair comes in contact with water, it swells.
If you're air-drying, the best way to dry hair is by using a microfiber towel to squeeze out any water instead of rubbing it out. Avoid rubbing your hair with a regular towel as it can break, fry, and strip your hair. You can also use an old t-shirt to dab your wet hair for an absorbent approach.
Generally speaking, you should take off the hair towel after about 20 minutes and let the breeze take care of the rest. Intuitively, we might think that the longer we leave our hair secured in a towel turban, the more it will dry. But your hair will always be at least a little damp from towel-drying.
Make sure hair is damp—not soaking wet—before going to bed.
If you can spare a few moments before bed, Shaw says it's a good idea to towel dry—though not for the reason you may think. "Damp hair is definitely better. Wet hair can make your pillow wet and breed mold under the pillowcase," she says.
It turns out letting your hair air dry after you've washed it is causing more damage than you think. According to Dr Tim Moore (the Australian Vice President of Smart Devices) leaving your hair wet for extended periods of time is putting excessive pressure on your strands resulting in split ends.
“Because T-shirts do not have rough grooves like a towel, the flat surface allows water to sink in and slides over the hair instead of roughing it up.” Another great alternative to using a regular towel is a microfiber towel.
When used timely and moderately, blow drying is better for scalp and hair. Air drying (like over washing) over an extended period can cause scalp to compensate, over produce oil leaving hair more oily, and causing you to fight the imbalance with more and more shampoo for oily scalp and hair.
After leaving the shower, start by dabbing off excess water with a microfibre cloth. Avoid rubbing the hair vigorously, as the friction causes the strands to tangle and generate frizz. Then, keep your hair wrapped for 10 to 15 minutes.
Hot water melts away your natural hair oils, leaving it dry, brittle, and frizzy. Excess heat also lifts your hair cuticles, the outermost layer. When that happens, the cells separate and the cuticle layer can't seal itself—another cause of frizzy hair.
Blow drying with hot air is faster than drying with cold air, and it's an effective way to change your style (for example, blow drying your wavy hair straight or adding volume to limp hair). On the other hand, cold air seals the cuticle of the hair shaft for a smooth and shiny finish and helps your style stay in place.
Rubbing your towel on your hair is the most common cause of frizz; instead, use a T-shirt, pillow cover or microfibre cloth—these are softer on the hair and do the least damage on wet strands, which is when they're at their weakest.
Conventional towels can rough up your hair cuticles, making your locks more susceptible to frizz, Kali Ferrara, a New York City-based hairstylist at The Salon Project, told Shop TODAY. Towels and wraps made out of microfiber, on the other hand, are gentler and more absorbent, so they're less likely to cause issues.
Using either a soft cotton t-shirt or a microfiber towel is a safe choice for all hair types. Cotton will not absorb water from your hair as fast as microfiber. Both will protect your hair from damage while drying because of the tightly woven fabric.
When your hair is wet, it's more fragile and prone to breakage, says Jasmine Burnside, a hairstylist in New York City. "Going to bed with wet or damp hair will most likely lead to more friction on the strands, ultimately leading to potential damage." That's why she says it's something that she advises against.
However, most agreed that it is perfectly acceptable to go out with wet hair if you are going to class (if you're a student”> or if you are simply running errands. Most likely, everyone around you will be too busy to notice or care.
If your hair is slightly damaged, it is usually dry with less shine, the colour is duller and have a thinner hair ends. If the situation becomes more serious, it will have a rougher texture and a dull appearance, the colour balance is more uneven and a more serious split ends.
Use a silk scarf or cloth and tie it like a hairband to make sure your hair does not touch the pillowcase. Once you wake up, flip your hair upside down, gently separate the hair and flip it back up. Resist the urge to brush your hair, as it causes more friction and frizz,” recommends Sabanayagam.
It is best to sleep with your hair down if your hair length is short. This also lets the air flow freely through your hair, which makes you sleep more comfortably. On the other hand, if you have long hair, it is recommended to tie your hair loosely to prevent knots and breakage.